Workmates honour crash victim with tribute

Tara Miko
Reporter
Tara started with APN in 2010 after graduating with a journalism and politics degree from Griffith University in Brisbane. After two-and-a-half years working on APN papers in the Bowen Basin in Central Queensland, she joined the team at The Chronicle in February 2013. In September that year she took over the reins of the Rural Weekly.

UPDATE: Tanya Lyell is being remembered as a young mother dedicated to her family and work as the town she called home comes to terms with the loss.

Mr Lyell (nee Meacle), 26, died in a horrific single-vehicle crash on the Warrego Hwy, just west of Bowenville, yesterday morning.

Former workmates of the Dalby woman have paid tribute to the woman "with a huge smile on her face every shift" in a touching sentiment posted on social media from the Country Club Hotel.

"It was enjoyable and fun working with you," the post read.

"You will be missed by all.

"We will be thinking of her four beautiful children who lost their mum way too soon and their father.
"Condolences to (Tanya's) family.

"Words are never enough … gone but not forgotten in the hearts of everyone who loves you more than words themselves."

Investigations into the crash are continuing as her passenger Andrew Leask, 26, from Toowoomba recovers in a Brisbane hospital from injuries sustained it the crash.

WEDNESDAY, 4.30PM: As a young Toowoomba man fights for his life after a horrific single-vehicle crash, a Western Downs town is mourning the loss of one of its own.

Dalby woman Tanya Lyell, 26, had been travelling to Toowoomba with her passenger Andrew Leask, 26, when tragedy struck.

The pair had made it about 5km west of Bowenville when the 4WD Mrs Lyell was driving slammed into a power pole metres from the bitumen.

The force of the impact left the pole embedded in the vehicle.

TRAGIC LOSS: Tanya Meacle, 26, died at the scene of a horrific single-vehicle crash on the Warrego Hwy near Bowenville about 3am Wednesday, October 19.Contributed

Mrs Lyell died at the scene of the crash police believe happened about 3am but went unreported to authorities for almost 30 minutes.

Mr Leask, from Toowoomba, was pinned inside the ruined vehicle.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said the first report of the crash was received at 3.26am, with crews from Dalby responding to the incident.

Due to the extent the vehicle was damaged, Mr Leask wasn't freed until almost an hour after crews arrived on scene.

Firefighters used hydraulic cutting equipment to free the critically injured man about 4.25am before the RACQ LifeFlight crew airlifted him to the Princess Alexandra Hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

Fatal car crash on the Warrego Hwy near Bowenville about 3.25am on October 19, 2016.RACQ LifeFlight

The Forensic Crash Unit is yet to determine what caused the crash but are expected to probe whether driver error was a major contributing cause.

It is understood driver fatigue and whether that led to the crash will form a major aspect of investigations.

The Warrego Hwy was closed for more than five hours as the scene was cleared and Ergon Energy crews repaired the damaged power pole.

The crash occurred on a straight stretch of the 100kmh highway.

The Dalby community was grappling with the loss as friends of Mrs Lyell expressed their shock on social media.

Photos reveal a young girl with a perpetual smile, surrounded by friends and family.

"Another angel gone so soon," one friend wrote.

"Fly high beautiful girl."

Police are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

12.10PM: A young Toowoomba man is fighting for life after a horrific fatal road crash at Bowenville this morning.

The 26-year-old had been the passenger in a 4WD travelling east on the Warrego Hwy from Dalby early this morning when it slammed into a power pole.

The impact of the crash severely damaged the vehicle which was left embedded around the pole metres from the bitumen.

The driver, a 26-year-old woman from Dalby, died at the scene.

Initial investigations suggest the crash happened about 3am but went undiscovered until about 3.30am.

The man was cut free from the wreckage about an hour later, and was airlifted to the Princess Alexandra Hospital by RACQ LifeFlight.

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating, and police are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area to get in contact.

9.10AM: The Warrego Hwy has reopened at the scene of a fatal crash this morning west of Toowoomba.

Ergon Energy and Transport and Main Roads crews remain in the area repairing powerlines and directing traffic.

Police advise the Warrego Hwy has reopened but reduced speed limits remain in place due to the ongoing works.